William "Bill" Joseph Dennie

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William (Bill) Joseph Dennie was born on December 6, 1936 to Talbot Nathan and Annie Pearl Rodgers Dennie. He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by one brother, Gene Talbot Dennie (Kathy). Bill married Margaret Wallace on May 21, 1959. Bill is survived by this wife, Margaret, one daughter Dianne Ellzey (Richard) and one grandson Jeremy Barton (Tiffany) and one special great-grand-daughter, Paige. He is also survived by three step grandchildren, Stan, Alex and Cheyenne Ellzey. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Phil Wallace (Marcella); sister-in-law Jan Doyle (Rudy) and a host of nieces and nephews.

He attended Oakland Elementary and graduated from Fayette County High School in Somerville, Tennessee. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1958 at Lambuth College, (Lambuth University), Jackson, Tennessee, a Masters for Science Teachers at Memphis State (Memphis University) in 1965 and a Masters of Education at the University of Mississippi in 1967. Bill began his teaching career at Byars Hall High School in Covington, Tennessee where he taught biology and chemistry from 1958-1963. He taught chemistry at Corinth High School from 1963-1968. He served as Principal of Corinth Junior High 1965-1970; Principal Corinth High School 1970-1973; Federal Programs Coordinator, 1973-1974. Bill was the first recipient of the Corinth Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Educator Award in 1968. From 1974-1982 he was employed by Tennessee River Pulp and Paper, (PCA) Counce, Tennessee. He returned to education in 1982, teaching sciences at Biggersville High School until 1983 when he returned to Corinth High School teaching biology, human anatomy and physiology until he retired in 1998. Upon his return to Corinth School District, in addition to teaching, he also served as the Asbestos Inspector and Manager for the district that he continued until 2004.

Bill was a member of Kiwanis from about 1968-1974. He also participated in a limited basis in Habitat for Humanity.

Bill was a member of First United Methodist Church where he served in a variety of roles over the decades, including choir member for almost 47 years; adult Sunday school teacher for over 30 years, Administrative Board Chair, Lay Delegate to Mississippi Annual Conference, Lay Leadership Committee, Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Finance Committee and other committees of FUMC. He also served as New Albany District Lay Leader from 1981-1986.

After retiring from Corinth Schools, Bill became a member of the Gideons International. Bill participated in the jail ministry each Saturday morning approximately eight years before his health limited his participation. He also participated in the ministry at Parchman Prison a number of years. Bill served as Memorial Bible Chairman for the Gideons approximately eight years. Bill’s favorite hobbies included fishing and working in his woodworking shop.

Gideons will serve as pallbearers, and honorary pallbearers will be Gideons and the Challenger Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to Boston Medical Amyloidosis Research, P O Box 199180, Boston, MA., 02119-9918; First United Methodist Church, 901 N Fillmore Street, Corinth, MS 38834; Gideons International, P O Box 1603, Corinth, MS 38835; or Lighthouse Foundation, P O Box 2121, Corinth, MS 38835.